The teams currently racing the the Great Pacific Race faced big ocean swells and high winds during their first 24 hours at sea. The four person teams were the first to make it beyond Point Pinos where they faced 15-20 knots of breeze and 10-13 foot swells. Uniting Nations and Battleborn powered through the challenging conditions and have found their course for the 2,400 mile row to Hawaii. Team Uniting Nations is rowing north of the great circle line with Battleborn close behind choosing to go just below.

The only pairs team to make it past Point Pinos was Clearly Contacts. However, around 5:00 pm, after rowing about 10 miles off the coast, crew members Rebecca Berger and Leanne Zrum collectively made the decision to turn around. Zrum was suffering from severe sea sickness and the crew chose to return to Monterey. “Rebecca has said to me a few times since we turned that ‘ocean rowing is not for everyone’ and be proud of yourself for getting off the couch to at least try” said Zrum after a night of rest and recovery on shore. Great Pacific Race organizers are working closely with Team Clearly Contacts to get the boat back in the race as soon as possible.

Our two solo racers of Elsa Hammond and Jim Bauer, who were more susceptible to the 8-10 knots of south west breeze and choose to stay closer to land until the winds subsided. Both solo racers are now heading west, following the rest of the fleet.

You can follow the race and the progress of the rowers at www.greatpacificrace.com.